Getting Back on Track Before Going Back to the Gym

Last year was a tough year for me personally, and unfortunately, I went off track a bit when it came to exercising. I really didn’t take care of myself. While I hadn’t packed on too many pounds, I just didn’t feel right. I felt achy and lethargic, and somehow my muscles disappeared! It was time to buckle down.

Since I hadn’t been to the gym in a while, I didn’t want to overdo it by going into overdrive the first day back—something I’ve been known to do, many a time. Instead, I started with at-home exercises to build up my stamina, so I wouldn’t kill myself when I actually did haul my butt back to the gym.

Every morning, for a few weeks, I’d do at least 15-20 minutes of yoga, along with an intense 5- to 10-minute abs workout (planks, opposite arm/leg raise, squats, plank with leg lift, exercise ball, etc.). I figured if I could get up to a half-hour-plus workout routine in the mornings without gasping for breath, then I’d be “good enough” shape to return to the gym.

The best part about doing these at-home exercise—except for no-equipment needed—is that I could actually see a difference! That, coupled with a few dietary changes, I noticed my metabolism was up, I lost the extra few pounds, my muscles were toned and firm again, and, best of all, I’d lost about an inch around my waist. Woohoo!

If you’re struggling to get back on track like I was, go easy on yourself. Don’t guilt yourself into going to the gym every day, when we all know that life gets in the way.

Take it one day at a time, like I did, and you’ll see the changes soon enough.